Circuit controlling device



April 29, 1947. T. w. BUSLAWSKI CIRCUIT CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed July29. 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet l 25 Inventor 7%0051/3 M Z3054 Aws/n,

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CIRCUIT CONTROLLING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 29, 1944 In ventor 77/HDDEl/S M BUSLHWSKI,

I By

Patented Apr. 29, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CIRCUIT CONTROLLINGDEVICE Thaddeus W. Buslawski, Detroit, Mich.

Application July 29, 1944, Serial No. 547,250

Claims. 1

This invention relates to circuit controlling devices, and has moreparticular reference to a controller embodying a multiple-pole reversingswitch for the electric operating motor of an overhead traveling hoist.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a controllerof the above kind which is directly operable and suspended within reachof the operator from the motor of the hoist carriage.

Heretofore, the controller has been mounted directly on the operatingmotor of the hoist carriage, and depending mechanical or electricalmeans has been provided for remotely actuating the controller.Therefore, by suspending the controller from the motor of the hoistcarriage and directly operating the controller as proposed by thepresent invention, the use of a remotely operated actuating means forthe controller is rendered unnecessary, and a more efiicient, simplerand less expensive installation is had.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a controllerthat embodies a multiplepole reversing switch of simple and compactconstruction, and one that is easy and convenient to operate, safe touse, and easy to repair.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings, and the invention consists in the novel form,combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described,shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicatecorresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a traveling overhead hoistequipped with a controller constructed in accordance with the presentinvention.

Figure 2 is a view looking toward the left of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in section on line 3-3of Figure 4 and partly in side elevation.

Figure 4 is a view of the reversing switch with the casing in centrallongitudinal section and with the remaining parts in elevation, as seenlooking toward the right of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the reversing switch.

Figure 7 is a wiring diagram for the switch and the motor.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the present controller isparticularly designed for use in connection with an overhead travelinghoist comprising a wheeled carriage running on an elevated track 5 andincluding hoist mechanism generally indicated at 6 and an operatingmotor 1 for said hoist mechanism. The motor 1 is a reversible motor ofthe three-phase alternating current type, and the present controller isdesigned for use in rendering the motor I operative in either desireddirection while normally maintaining the same inoperative. In otherwords, the controller normally opens the motor circuit and isselectively operable to esta'blish reverse power connections for themotor.

The controller includes a multi-pole reversing switch generallyindicated at 8 and which is suspended by a flexible cable 9 directlyfrom the motor I so as to be within convenient reach of the attendantstanding upon the floor beneath the hoist. The cable 9 is connected tothe upper end of the casing ii of switch 8 and has its other endconnected to a lead-in box ll rigidly carried by the motor I, the wiringto the switch 8 and from the. latter to the motor 1 being incorporatedin the cable 9.

As shown, the casing ID of the switch 8 is preferably of verticallyelongated cylindrical form and consists of a tubular body having enddiscs l2 secured therein by screws l3.

Arranged within the casing and spaced from the body of the latter is aninsulating support of substantially U shape and including a plate l4 andbearing blocksv l5 and I6 secured by screws ll on opposite ends of saidplate [4 as well as extending at right angles to the latter. Theinsulating support is mounted in a fixed position within the casing bysecuring the hearing block I6 to and against the inner face of the,lower disc l2 by means of screws, as indicated at 18. Disposedlongitudinally of the casing and journaled in the lower disc I2 and inthe bearing blocks I5 and 15 of the insulating support intermediate theside edges of the plate M, as well as in spaced parallel relation to thelatter, is a rock shaft 19 whose lower end extends a short distancebelow the lower disc 12 and has an insulating block 20 secured thereon.The bearing block 20 has a fiat face to which is fixed the intermediateportion of a substantially U- shaped double-ended finger piece 2| whoselegs extend in diverging relation from the shaft 19, as clearlyillustrated in Figure 6. The intermediate portion of the finger piece 2|is preferably flat so as to lie in flat engagement with the flat face orside of the block 29, and said finger piece is secured to the block 20by a screw 22. The lower end of the casing carries a vertical elongatedhandle or hand grip 23, which handle or hand grip is mounted on a stem24 whose upper end is threaded into a cross bar 25, a at 26,intermediate the ends of the latter. The cross bar forms part of aU-shaped bracket for mounting the handle on the lower end of the casing,which bracket also embodies a pair of spaced insulating blocks 2'1disposed at opposite sides of the lower end of shaft i9 and interposedbetween the ends of the cross bar 25 and the lower disc l2. Screws 28pass through the ends of bar 25 and through the blocks 2'! and arethreaded into the lower disc i2 to secure these parts together andthereby ri idly mount the handle 23 on the lower end of the casing. twill be particularly noted that the finger piece 2| is disposed close tothe upper end of handle 25 so that it may be manipulated by finger ofthe same hand that grips the handle 23.

An insulating plate 29 is fixed at one end on the shaft l8 directlybelow the upper insulating block l5, and projecting upwardly from thisplate 29 is an eccentric pin 30 which is engaged at opposite sides bythe ends of a spring 3| whose intermediate portion is coiled and securedto the block l by a screw 32. The legs of spring 2| are tensioned so asto maintain the shaft IS in a predetermined rotatably adjusted positionand yieldingly permit rocking of said shaft in either direction bymanipulation of finger piece 2|.

Secured on the shaft H3 at considerably spaced points are eccentricinsulating plates 33 and 34, each of which carries a. cross piece 35that constitutes a contact bridging element. Each element 35 is securedintermediate its ends to the associated block 33 or 34 by a screw 36,and it is seated in the associated block within a groove 31 of thelatter so as to be maintained in a position parallel with shaft l9.

Disposed at each side of each bridging element 35 is a pair of laterallyyieldable contacts 38. The spring 3| normally positions shaft l9 so thatthe bridging elements 35 are spaced from and intermediate the pairs ofcontacts 38, as illustrated in Figure 4. This constitutes the openposition of the switch, but it will be apparent that shaft l3 may berocked in one direction to engage the contact bridging elements 35simultaneously with all of the contacts 38 at one side of shaft l3, orit may be rocked in the other direction to simultaneously engage themwith all of the contacts 38 at the other side of the shaft l9. As shown,each contact 38 consists of an elongated strip of metal loosely mountedat one end on the stem of a screw 39 extended through an arm of an anglebracket 40 fastened at 4| to the insulating plate l4, a nut 42 beingthreaded on screw 39, and a spring 43 being interposed between said nut42 and the outer side of the associated Contact 38. Spring 43 is ahelical compression spring and normally acts to hold the contact 38 in aposition perpendicular to the plate I4. However, the upper ends ofcontacts 38 are permitted, by reason of this mounting, to yieldlaterally outwardly as the bridging elements 35 come into engagementtherewith. This allows the bridging elements 35 to have a wipingengagement with the contacts 38 so as to effect a good electricalconnection with the latter and much better than would b established by 4mere abutting engagement of the elements 35 with rigid contacts.

The manner in which the switch 8 is utilized to control the motor I isillustrated in Figure 7. As shown in this figure, one contact of eachpair is connected to the one contact of the opposed pair by a wire, asat 44. Also, the remaining contact 38 of each pair is connected, as at45, with a remaining contact of a nonopposed pair located at theopposite side of the shaft l9. It will be seen that three line wires L1,L2 and L3 extend into the lead-in box II, and the line wire Li extendsto and is connected to one contact of the upper pairs that is connectedto an opposed contact, as at 44. The line wire L2 similarly extends toand is connected with the one contact of the lower pairs of contactswhich is connected at 44 to an opposed contact. The other line wire Laextends directly to the motor and a wire 45 extends from the uppercontact of a pair at one side of shaft I9 while another wire 46 extendsfrom the upper contact at the other side of shaft l9, both wires 45 and46 extending to and connecting with the motor 1. Thus, when haft I9 isturned to the left of Figures 4 and 7, bridging elements 35 effectengagement with the contacts at one side of said shaft 19 so that linewire L1 is connected with terminal T2 of motor I and line wire L: isconnected to terminal T3 of motor 1. On the other hand, when the shaftI9 is rotated to the right, bridging elements 35 engage the contacts atthe other side of shaft l9 so that line wire L1 is connected withterminal T3 and line wire L2 is connected with terminal T2. It istherefore evident that, in one position of the switch, motor I will beoperated in one direction, and, in the other position of the switch,said motor will be operated in the reverse direction. When the fingerpiece 2| is released, spring 3| returns the switch to normal conditionso as to open the circuit of the motor.

The line wires L1 and L2, as well as the wires 45 and 46, areincorporated in the cable 9, and any suitable means may be provided forconnecting the lower end of the cable to the casing H), such as acoupling element 41 arranged to have threaded engagement in a centralthreaded opening 48 of the upper disc 12 of the switch casing. A similarcoupling element 49 may be provided on the upper end of the cable 9 forengagement of an opening in the lead-in box I on motor I.

It will be noted that the screws 4| extend completely through the plateM and have nuts 50 threaded on the lower ends thereof so as to formbinding posts for connection of the wires with the contacts 38. Also,the contacts 38 are retained against lateral tilting by means of U-shaped clips 5| disposed on the screws 38 and embracing the side edgesof the brackets 40 and contacts 38 where the screws 39 extend therethrough.

The description of the switch construction and its operation having beendescribed, it is believed that the exact nature of the invention, aswell as its advantages, will be readily understood and appreciated bythose skilled in the. It will be seen that the switch is com art.paratively simple and economical to manufacture, compact and durable inconstruction, and easy to install and manipulate. The handle 23 andfinger piece 2| are effectively insulated, and the switch is thereforesafe to use. All wires of the cable 9 are effectively insulated exceptat their points of connection with the binding posts 4!, 59, where theyare effectively spaced from the casing Ill. Minor changes in details ofconstruction are contemplated, such as fall within the spirit and scopeof the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

1. A controller for the motor of a traveling overhead hoist, comprisinga vertically elongated casing, a U-shaped bracket attached at its endsto the lower end of the casing, a handle fixed to and depending from theintermediate portion of said bracket, reversing switch mechanism withinthe casing, said mechanism including fixed contacts, a vertical rockshaft journaled in the casing and provided with elements for bridgingsaid contacts, said rock shaft having its lower end projecting throughthe lower end of the casing to a point between the end portions of thebracket, and yieldable means acting to resist rocking movement of saidshaft in either direction and to normally position the shaft with thebridging elements disengaged from said contacts, a double-ended fingerpiece centrally mounted on the projecting lower end and projectin toopposite sides of said shaft in position for actuation by fingers of thehand gripping the handle, a cable, and means to facilitate connection ofthe cable with the upper end of the casing for suspending the switch,said cable containing wires extending to the switch mechanism and fromthe switch mechanism to the motor.

-2. In a reversing switch for electric motors, a vertically elongatedcasing, a substantially U- shaped insulating support arranged within andrigidly secured at one end to the lower end of the casing, a verticalrock shaft journaled in the end portions of said support and projectingthrough the lower end of the casing, an elongated handle fixed to thelower end of and depending from the casing, an actuating finger piececarried by the projecting end and projecting to opposite sides of theshaft, yieldable means acting to restrain rotation of the shaft ineither direction, two opposed pairs of laterally yieldable contactsarranged at each side of the shaft, and two contacts bridging elementsof elongated form mounted in aligned relation on and extending parallelwith the shaft, one between and coacting with each pair of laterallyyieldable contacts at one side of the shaft and the opposed pair ofcontacts disposed at the other side of said shaft, said yieldable meansacting to normally disengage the bridging elements from the contacts.

3. In a reversing switch for electric motors, a vertically elongatedcasing, a substantially U- shaped insulating support arranged within andrigidly secured at one end to the lower end of the casing, a verticalrock shaft journaled in the end portions of said support and projectingthrough the lower end of the casing, an elongated handle fixed to thelower end of and depending from the casing, an actuating finger piececarried by the projecting end and projecting to opposite sides of theshaft, yieldable means acting to restrain rotation of the shaft ineither direction, two opposed pairs of laterally yieldable contactsarranged at each side of the shaft, and two contacts bridging elementsof elongated form mounted in aligned relation on and extending parallelwith the shaft, one between and coacting with each pair of laterallyyieldable contacts at one side of the shaft and the opposed pair ofcontacts disposed at the other side of said shaft, said yieldable meansacting to normally disengage the bridging elements from the contacts,insulating plates mounted on said shaft and carrying said bridgingcontacts, and an insulating block mounted on the projecting end of theshaft and carrying said finger piece.

4. The construction defined in claim 2, wherein each laterally yieldingcontact includes an angular bracket fixed to the intermediate portion ofthe support and having an outstanding apertured arm, a bolt extendingthrough said apertured arm and an end of the associated contact member,a nut threaded on said bolt, a helical tension spring interposed betweensaid contact member and said nut to yieldingly resist lateral movementof the other end of said contact member, and a U-shaped bracketembracing the adjacent ends of the outstanding arm of the angularbracket and the laterally yieldable contact member to maintain thelatter against swinging about said bolt.

5. In a reversing switch for electric motors, a vertically elongatedcasing, a substantially U- shaped insulating support arranged within andrigidly secured at one end to the lower end of the casing, a verticalrock shaft journaled in the end portions of said support and projectingthrough the lower end of the casing, an actuating finger piece carriedby the projecting end and projecting to opposite sides of the shaft,yieldable means acting to restrain rotation of the shaft in eitherdirection, two opposed pairs of laterally yieldable contacts arranged ateach side of the shaft, and two contacts bridging elements of elongatedform mounted on and extending parallel with the shaft, one between andcoacting with each pair of laterally yieldable contacts at one side ofthe shaft and the opposed pair of contacts disposed at the other side ofsaid shaft, said yieldable means acting to normally disengage thebridging elements from the contacts and including an eccentric pinmounted on said shaft and a spring mounted on the upper end of saidsupport and having ends engaging opposite sides of said pin.

THADDEUS W. BUSLAWSKI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,686,683 Daly et a1 Oct. 9, 19282,148,473 Joy Feb. 28, 1939 1,969,263 Gaynor Aug. 7, 1934 1,491,532Holder Apr. 22, 1924 1,744,245 Sandin June 21, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 753,398 French Aug. 7, 1933

